Allergy

An allergy is an abnormal immune system reaction to a substance.

Your immune system protects your body from foreign invaders that may lead to illness by creating antibodies.

With an allergy, your immune system creates antibodies against substances that are harmless to most people.

When your child comes in contact with the substance (an allergen), it triggers an immune system reaction. Symptoms may include:

• Cough
• Sore through
• Itchy eyes
• Runny nose
• Rash
• Abdominal pain
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea

In some cases, the allergic reaction may cause a life-threatening reaction called anaphylaxis. Symptoms of anaphylaxis include shortness of breath, low blood pressure, and loss of consciousness.

If your child has an anaphylactic allergic reaction, you need to take them to the nearest emergency room for immediate care.

Though symptoms may be a sign your child has an allergy, the only way to know for sure is to have your child tested. All Ages Pediatrics PC offers allergy testing for:

• Food allergies
• Mold
• Environmental allergies
• Animal allergies
• Hay fever

Allergy testing may be done as a skin patch test. During this type of allergy test, Dr. Dodson pricks your child’s skin with small amounts of the suspected allergen and waits for a reaction. If your child is allergic to a specific substance, the skin at the site of prick turns red and may itch like a mosquito bite. Skin patch testing is quick and reliable.

All Ages Pediatrics PC may also conduct a blood test that checks your child’s blood for immunoglobulin E (IgE), which is a class of antibodies associated with allergies. Results from blood allergy testing may take longer than skin patch testing.

Treatment for your child’s allergy depends on the type of allergen responsible for your child’s symptoms. When possible, avoiding the allergen is generally recommended.

If your child has an environmental allergen, like dust or mold, Dr. Dodson may provide guidelines to help limit your child’s exposure and recommend medications to manage symptoms.

For children that have severe allergic reactions, Dr. Dodson prescribes an epinephrine pen.

Allergies are chronic and may affect your child’s quality of life. Allergy shots are a treatment option that may help lessen your child’s allergy symptoms over time and prevent new allergies from forming.

Allergy shots can help children with insect allergies, environmental allergies, or pet allergies.

For comprehensive allergy care for your child, call All Ages Pediatrics PC or book an appointment using the online scheduling tool today.